Classes will help permanent legal residents prepare for citizenship exam

SPRINGFIELD – Who was president during World War I? How many amendments to the Constitution?

These are questions that any American should be able to answer – and that aspiring Americans will be asked on the way to becoming citizens.

Now, for the first time in the Pioneer Valley, permanent legal residents will have access to multi-level, year-round citizenship classes that will prepare them to answer those questions and more at their naturalization interviews.

Jewish Family Service has received a $100,000 grant from the federal government to implement the citizenship classes and other efforts to help legal permanent residents gain citizenship.

Funds came from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service by way of the Hebrew Immigration Aid Society.

It’s a pilot program, said Robert Radin, program coordinator at Jewish Family Service. “If it’s a successful model,” said Radin, “it will be used all over the country.”

Citizenship classes will be taught on three levels, said Lauren Kessler, citizenship instructor.

Interested people should contact her so she can determine what level is right for them. Levels range from the semi-literate to the highly literate.

At the semi-literate level, classes will meet once a week for 14 weeks. More literate levels will meet twice a week for six months. Classes will meet for two hours, probably 6-8 p.m., said Kessler, unless students prefer an earlier time.

Kessler taught English in Japan for several years, and has taught English as a second language in Northampton and Brattleboro, Vt.

She predicts the citizenship classes will be interesting – and fun. They will not only help students pass the naturalization test, but will help them understand the history and government of their country.

Kessler said she enjoys teaching adults. “They have so much to say. I’m going to be teaching them about citizenship, but I’ll be learning so much from them as well.”

By the way – those questions? Woodrow Wilson and 27 amendments. Piece of cake, right?